Page 49 of The Secrets We Treasure

Her stomach tightened. “If Leo didn’t send those texts and emails, then who did?”

“I’m not sure,” Kevin answered. “The good news is that it would appear that the threat is over.”

“Yes.” Treasure hoped with all her heart that Kevin was right. A part of her still cringed every time her phone beeped. Hopefully, the passage of time would help ease her fears.

When Treasure ended the call, Cherry eyed her with compassion. “I’m so sorry for all that you’ve been through.”

Without warning, emotion rose in her throat. “Thanks,” she uttered.

“Your mama has been worrying herself sick, afraid that something bad is gonna happen to you.”

Treasure’s throat iced. She swallowed to clear it. “Do you think Mom’s right? Do I have a reason to be worried?”

Cherry pressed her lips in tight lines as her head swung back and forth. “I wish I could tell you, no, but the truth is … I dunno.”

She clenched her teeth. “I’ve done everything I can think of to not only keep myself safe but also Tray, Helen, and Kevin.”

“I know you have. We just need to keep praying that God will bring this thing to a resolve and continue to keep you and your little one safe.”

Treasure nodded.

Cherry gave her a speculative look. “Have you heard from your manager?”

“Not for a couple days. It has been nice.”

“What’re you gonna do when the public gets wind of you and Greer? You’re supposedly engaged to another man.”

Treasure pushed out a heavy sigh. “I guess I’ll just have to cross that bridge if I come to it.”

“I’d venture to say that you won’t have to wait to get to the bridge. It’ll come to you.” Cherry lifted an eyebrow. “It might be better to take the bull by the horns and announce to the world that the engagement is off. Otherwise, you’ll look like a two-timer.”

“That’s true,” Treasure conceded. Everything had seemed so bright and cheery when she got out of bed. Now, the weight of her problems was pressing down on her. “Maybe I’ll call Ethan and tell him that we don’t need to wait to announce that the engagement is off.”

“Good idea.” Cherry gave Treasure a pointed look. “Just be prepared. I have a feeling that’s gonna go over like a box of bricks.”

She widened her eyes. “What do you mean?”

“Your manager won’t be pleased to learn that you’re involved with another man.”

“Well, he’ll just have to get over it,” Treasure retorted, knowing that Cherry was one hundred percent correct.

Cherry looked thoughtful.

“What?”

“I may be totally off base here, but have you considered that your manager might be the one behind the texts and emails?”

Treasure’s breath froze in her throat. “Why would you say that?”

“Like I said, I could be totally off base, but it seems like Ethan is controlling.”

“He is.”

Cherry retrieved a deep skillet from the drawer underneath the oven. She placed it on the stovetop and poured in a generous amount of olive oil. She turned the burner on high. “He could be using the emails and texts as a means of control so that you’ll depend on him to protect you.”

“Surely not. Ethan can be annoying and hard to deal with, but I don’t think he’s a stalker.”

“Have you gotten your detective to look into him?”

---